Our Newsletter

Top 10 Questions

xxxxxxx

Top 10+ Frequently Asked Questions:

Is there an admission fee?The Berkeley Kite Festival is always FREE! There is no admission fee. Highline Kites founded the festival in 1986 as a way to give something back to our local community, and to share or passion for all things kite, with as wide an audience as possible.

Is there a parking fee?Yes, parking in the Marina and at Golden Gate Fields is $20 and includes shuttle service to the festival. The Berkeley Rotary Club in coordination with the City of Berkeley manage all parking matters within the Marina. All parking fees collected in the Marina go directly to these organizations. MORE PARKING & TRANSIT INFO

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS PARKING & FREE SHUTTLES?Take the Buchanan / Albany exit from Hwy. 80, and go west the the Golden Gate Fields North Lot. From there our free shuttle buses will take you to the Kite Fest. Parking Fee is $15 and included free shuttle service to and from the festival. MORE PARKING & TRANSIT INFO

Can I bring my dog?Well-behaved four-legers are always welcome. However, the kite festival draws large crowds so, if your dog might be disturbed by large crowds or colorful flying objects of all shapes and sizes, this may not be the best place for them. Note: All dogs are required to be "on leash" in the festival areas at all times.

I am coming from out of town, where should I stay?We are excited to have the DoubleTreeHotel & ExecutiveMeetingCenter as the Official Hotel of the Berkeley Kite Festival. The Doubletree is a resort class hotel located a mere stone’s throw from the Festival site. And with the DoubleTree name comes those world-famous, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, still warm and offered free at check-in! Festival veterans all say the DoubleTree is the best place to stay to get the full Berkeley Kite Fest Experience.

Will kites be available for sale at the event?Yes, Highline Kites will have a giant sales tent where you can purchase a wide variety of kites for all budgets. One way to beat the festival crowds and be fully prepared the Kite Festival, is to visit Highline Kite’s “Solar-Powered Kite Mobile” the week-end before the festival. Highline’s “Kite Shop on Wheels” has been serving bay area families at the Berkeley Marina since 1986. Every dollar you spend at www.HighlineKites.com helps support the kite festival.

Can I learn to fly a Dual-line or Quad-line Aerobatic kite at the festival?Yes, manufacturers’ representatives from Prism Designs and Revolution Kites will be on hand and offering free kite lessons. Experienced kite fliers can also try out the latest advanced kite designs.

What is the daily event schedule?A tentative schedule will go up on the www.HighlineKites.com web site in mid-July.

Are there events for kids?Yes, popular kids’ events include Free Kite Making and the ever-popular Candy Drop. Kite making is from 11:00-1:00, both days, (or as long as our supplies last). The Candy Drop is between 2:30 and 3:30, both days.

What are the festival hours and dates?Sat. & Sun, from 10:00 to 6:00 both days.

How do I register for the West Coast Kite Championship Competitions?The Bay Area Sport Kite League will once again be the organizer of the West Coast Kite Championships at this year’s Berkeley Kite Festival. The BASKL (Bay Area Sport Kite League) Board of Directors is working tirelessly to ensure that kite competitions continue to thrive at the Berkeley Kite Festival. Pre-registration is required. West Coast Kite Championship registration forms are available at www.BASKL.org.

Can anyone go on the Hornblower Dinner Cruise or is that only Crew?All are welcome on the Sunday Dinner Cruise, 7:00 - 10:30 PM; however, tickets must be purchased in advance. We board as 7:00pm and sail promptly at 7:15pm.

After two great days of kite flying we will board the Empress Hornblower Dining Yacht for a magical dinner cruise, awards banquet & silent auction on the San FranciscoBay. An Empress Hornblower dinner cruise typically costs as much as $100.00, but as a Berkeley Kite Festival VIP, you can join us for only $69.95 per person. That’s almost half off the regular price! The Empress sails directly from the DoubleTree Hotel.

This really is a golden opportunity to sail the GoldenState on the bay of the fabulous Golden Gate. CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!or make them by phone at: 510-235-KITE (5483) Cruise tickets may be picked up during the festival at the HighlineKites.com Sales Tent between 11:00pm and 4:00pm.

The Hornblower Yacht embarks from the Berkeley Marina, just south of the DoubleTree Hotel. Boarding begins at 6:45pm. We sail promptly at 7:00pm and return at 10:30pm.

Will there be food at the event?Yes, you can look forward to a variety of food booths both days of the event. __________________________________________________________________________________

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Top 10+ Frequently Asked Questions:

Is there an admission fee?

The Berkeley Kite Festival is always FREE! There is no admission fee. Highline Kites founded the festival in 1986 as a way to give something back to our local community, and to share or passion for all things kite, with as wide an audience as possible.

Is there a parking fee?

Yes, parking in the Marina is $10 and includes shuttle service to the festival from the parking areas. The Berkeley Rotary Club and the Seeds Organization in coordination with the City of Berkeley manage all parking matters. All parking proceeds go directly to these organizations and to finance the shuttle service.

Can I bring my dog?

Well-behaved four-legers are always welcome. However, the kite festival draws large crowds so, if your dog might be disturbed by large crowds or colorful flying objects of all shapes and sizes, this may not be the best place for them. Note: All dogs are required to be "on leash" in the festival areas at all times.

I am coming from out of town, where should I stay?

We are excited to have the DoubleTreeHotel & ExecutiveMeetingCenter as the Official Hotel of the Berkeley Kite Festival. The Doubletree is a resort class hotel located a mere stone’s throw from the Festival site. And with the DoubleTree name comes those world-famous, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, still warm and offered free at check-in! Festival veterans all say the DoubleTree is the best place to stay to get the full Berkeley Kite Fest Experience.

This year the DoubleTree is offering an amazing Special Kite Festival room rate. Remember to ask for the “Special Kite Festival Rate”. Our Group/Convention Discount Code is “KIT”. To qualify for this rate your reservation must be made by July 16th. Though we are not permitted to share the rate with you here, we can tell you that this year’s rate is lower than we have seen it in many years!

Yes, Highline Kites will have a giant sales tent where you can purchase a wide variety of kites for all budgets. One way to beat the festival crowds and be fully prepared the Kite Festival, is to visit Highline Kite’s “Solar-Powered Kite Mobile” the week-end before the festival. Highline’s “Kite Shop on Wheels” has been serving bay area families at the Berkeley Marina since 1986. Every dollar you spend at Highline Kites helps support the kite festival.

Can I learn to fly a Dual-line or Quad-line Aerobatic kite at the festival?

Yes, manufacturers’ representatives from Prism Designs and Revolution Kites will be on hand and offering free kite lessons. Experienced kite fliers can also try out the latest advanced kite designs.

What is the daily event schedule?

A tentative schedule will go up on the www.HighlineKites.com web site in mid-July.

Are there events for kids?

Yes, popular kids’ events include Free Kite Making and the ever-popular Candy Drop. Kite making is from 11:00-1:00, both days. The Candy Drop is between 2:30 and 3:30, both days.

What are the festival hours and dates?

Sat. & Sun, from 10:00 to 5:00 both days.

How do I register for the West Coast Kite Championship Competitions?

The Bay Area Sport Kite League will once again be the organizer of the West Coast Kite Championships at this year’s Berkeley Kite Festival. The BASKL (Bay Area Sport Kite League) Board of Directors is working tirelessly to ensure that kite competitions continue to thrive at the Berkeley Kite Festival. Pre-registration is required. West Coast Kite Championship registration forms are available at www.BASKL.org.

Can anyone go on the Empress Hornblower Dinner Cruise or is that only Crew?

All are welcome on the Sunday Dinner Cruise, 7:00 - 10:30 PM; however, tickets must be purchased in advance. We board as 6:45pm and sail promptly at 7:00pm.

After two great days of kite flying we will board the Empress Hornblower Dining Yacht for a magical dinner cruise, awards banquet & silent auction on the San FranciscoBay. An Empress Hornblower dinner cruise typically costs as much as $100.00, but as a Berkeley Kite Festival VIP, you can join us for only $59.00 per person. That’s almost half off the regular price! The Empress sails directly from the DoubleTree Hotel.

This really is a golden opportunity to sail the GoldenState on the bay of the fabulous Golden Gate. CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!or make them by phone at: 510-235-KITE (5483) Cruise tickets may be picked up during the festival at the HighlineKites.com Sales Tent between 11:00pm and 4:00pm.

The Hornblower Yacht embarks from the Berkeley Marina, just south of the DoubleTree Hotel. Boarding begins at 6:45pm. We sail promptly at 7:00pm and return at 10:30pm.

Will there be food at the event?

Yes, you can look forward to a variety of food booths both days of the event.